Open Space Technology (OST) is the creation of Harrison Owen. He observed that the best discussions, learning and connections at conferences happened during the coffee breaks. Two, three, four or more people would stand around and start talking about things that were of interest or important to them. Because the groups were small and everyone could contribute within the flow of the conversation, there was a greater degree of personal connection and revelation. Harrison expanded on these coffee break conversations and the elements that made them successful to become the focal point of the OST format.

OST is an organic process, where we collectively make decisions about what what our agenda will look like, and what topics matter the most to us. We begin with no one in charge and no planned content. There is someone who will explain the process, but that person is not the leader. On Tuesday morning, we will come together and each person will be able to write down a topic(s) of interest on a Topic Sheet that will be provided, and place it on a huge bulletin board called The Community Market Place. We will collectively decide which other topics are of interest to us, and sign up on those Topic Sheets, effectively generating the content for our work sessions. The result is that participants will create the “agenda” for the week--a product of everyone’s contribution.

Four core principles of OST:
WHOEVER COMES IS THE RIGHT PEOPLE
WHATEVER HAPPENS IS THE ONLY THING THAT COULD HAVE
WHENEVER IT STARTS IS THE RIGHT TIME
WHEN IT'S OVER, IT'S OVER

On Holding Space 
Holding space is a concept that is about allowing (holding) a place in time (space) to be reserved for a specific purpose. Holding space allows something to be created without strict limitation or set outcome. Harrison Owen describes holding space as “an intentional, ongoing act…However you get there, the objective is to achieve clarity of self and purpose, combined with openness to the environment and others.”

It is about “being” not “doing.” Who we are, our “being-ness,” is what really affects others. Teaching has its place, but being-ness has power. Who we are is the source from which our abilities flow. Tools, techniques, theories, concepts are only useful if we are grounded in our intention and purpose. Our work becomes more powerful when we act from the truth of who we are.

Holding space is usually the function of a facilitator. This person serves to set the scene, and be there to guide when it is necessary. They state the theme, purpose or objective; describes the process toward it; and allows the rest to happen. At D2K, we consciously expand this function in spirit to every participant. The D2K board will set up the physical environment, but what is created and the "container" in which this creation happens is the responsibility of each participant. We openly invite you to hold space with us.

If you would like to read further about Open Space Technology, Harrison Owen has written a few books about it: "Open Space Technology: A User's Guide" and "Expanding Our Now: The Story of Open Space Technology"